Senior Military Instructor

rgeant First Class Daniel Silva is a native of Burlington, New Jersey. He enlisted in the United States Army in October 2011 as a Cavalry Scout. He currently serves as the Senior Military Science Instructor at the University of Texas at San Antonio Army ROTC program, a position he assumed on September 30, 2024.

He attended One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, Georgia, from October 2011 to March 2012. His first assignment was with B Troop, 5-73 Cavalry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, where he served as a dismount. His other assignments include M1151 Senior Scout Driver; M240B/ITAS Gunner; Dismounted Team Leader; Bravo Section Sergeant, A Troop, 3-61 Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division; Senior Scout; Drill Sergeant, D Troop, 2-15 Cavalry; Senior Drill Sergeant, E Troop, 2-15 Cavalry; Assistant Operations NCO, HHT, 5-1 Cavalry, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division; and Platoon Sergeant, A Troop, 5-1 Cavalry, 11th Airborne Division.

His stateside assignments include Fort Bragg, North Carolina (2012–2016); Fort Carson, Colorado (2016–2019); and Fort Benning, Georgia (2019–2021). His overseas assignments include Fort Wainwright, Alaska (2021–2024). He has deployed to Iraq and Kosovo in support of combat and peacekeeping operations.

His military education includes Combatives Level I and II, Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Advanced Situational Awareness Basic Course, Drill Sergeant School (Commandant’s List), Senior Leader Course (Commandant’s List), Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Mobile Gun System Commander Course, Cold Weather Leaders Course, Common Faculty Development Instructor Course (CF-DIC), and Unit Deterrent Leader (UDL). His civilian education includes a High School Diploma from Meade County High School, and he has completed approximately 30 semester hours toward a bachelor’s degree through multiple accredited institutions.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal (6th Award), Certificate of Achievement (3rd Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Expert Soldier Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, and German Parachutist Wings.

Sergeant First Class Silva resides at Lackland AFB, Texas, with his wife, Jackie. They have been married since October 24, 2012, and have three children: their oldest son Riley (14), daughter Abigail (9), and youngest son Banks (2)